Valve



Nov. 14, 1939.

E. A. HANSEN l 2,180,320

VALVE Filed sept. 15, 19:57 2 sheets-sneer 1 f E z' Q l H/j ATTORNEY` Patented Nov. 14, 19.39

UNITED STATES vALvE Ernest A. Hanse n, oakland, cani.

Application September 15, 1937, Serial No. 164,204

` l 2-Claims. My invention relates to a valveofor controlling A ,flow of uids; and the broad object ofthe invention is to provide a valve operable by differential pressures on the sides of a diaphragm, whereby a large valve may be controlledby a small pilot valve.

Another object of my invention is to provide a valve of the character described in which the fluid being controlled is utilized as the pressure uid for actuating theA diaphragm.

The invention possesses other objects and features of advantage, some of which, with the foregoing, will be set forth in the following de scription of my invention. It is to be understood that I donot limit myself to this disclosure of species of my invention, as I may adopt variant embodiments thereof within the scope of the claims. a Hlfteferring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view' of a one-way valve' embodying the improve-v ments of my invention. a

Figure 2 is a plan View of embodying my invention. A.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional viewoi' the multiple-way valve, taken in a plane ,indicated by the line 3 3 of Figure 2, and showing two of the control ducts leading from the pilot valve;. and

Figure 4 is a similar view taken in a plane indicated by the line 4 4 of Figure 2, showing a multiple-way valve the other -two ducts; and

Figure 5 is another similar view taken inv a plane indicated by the line 5 5 of Figure 2,

showing the discharge duct from' the pilot valve;

and

Figure 6 .is a vertical sectional view taken in a curved -plane indicated by the line 6 6 of Figure 2, showing the ports between the passages.

In terms of \br6 ad inclusion, the'valve embodying my invention comprises a port, a diaphragm for controlling iluid flow throughthe port, and meansfor applying uid pressure to the diaphragm to close the port. O ne side of the diaphragm preferably seats directly over the port, and the pressure uid is applied to the other side of the diaphragm. The pressure fluid is .preferably supplied through a small duct leading i from the pressure side of the port, and a pilot valve is provided for controlling fluid flow through the duct.

In greater detail, and referring to Figure 1 of the drawings, the valve embodying my invention comprises a body 2 having an inlet passage 3 and an outlet passage 4. The inlet passage -port 6. A diaphragm Il of flexible material,

such as rubber, is clamped between the body `and head to o verlie port 6. This diaphragm is .adapted to seat over the port to close it, as

shown in Figure 1, and is adapted to move up into the recessed head to open the port. Means are provided for. applying a pressure 4fluid-to the top of the diaphragm to close the port. For this purpose a small duct I2 is arranged to communicate with the inlet passage 3, and extends up through the diaphragm to a valve chamber I3 in the head. A sleeve I4 extends through the diaphragm, and prevents the latter from closing'the duct when the head is clamped down. From the side of valve cham ber I3 a duct I6 leads to recess 9 above the diaphragm, and from the top of the valve chamber a discharge duct II leads back into the outlet passage4. Y A

A pilot valve I8 is provided in chamber I3, and

when seated against the top ofthe chamber, as lshown in Figure 1, the discharge duct I1 is side of the port is admitted to the recess above the diaphragm, and the pressure of this luid presses the diaphragm down to close the main valve port. When pilot valve I8 is seated against the bottom of chamber I3 the duct I2 is closed;

` and at this time side duct I6 is connected with discharge duct I 'I by reason bf valve I8 being of less diameter than -chamber I3. The iluid above the diaphragm then bleeds out and the pressure of the fluid under the diaphragm lifts the latter to open the port.

Pilot valve -I8 is mounted on a stem I9 extending through a packing gland 2| 'provided in a boss 22 on the head. The seat for the upper end of the valve chamber is provided by a disk 23, and connection with discharge duct I 1 is madev through an apertured spacer 24. This opened, stem I9 pressed down by suitable the pilotl valve is small and operates with little resistance, the valve of my invention is well adapted for automatic control, such as by thermally sensitive or electrical means. Thus, large capacity valves embodying my invention lmay be controlled by delicate mechanisms.

The valve operates on the principle of pressure differentials.

mon source, namely the pressure fluid in the line, the pressure conditions obtaining on the two sides of the diaphragm are different. This A is due to the fact that the fluid above the diaing four`- passages 32, 33, 34 and 36.

phragm is confined, and the pressure is static. On the other hand, the fiuid below the diaphragm may flow through port 6 and into outletpassage 4. This ow of fluid is along theunder surface of the diaphragm, and the reduced pressure due to the velocity of the fluid causes the diaphragm to move down under the static pressure above it. When the pressure above the diaphragm is relieved, the diaphragm moves up and the valve is opened. After the valve is closed the fact that the area to which pressure is applied on the top of the diaphragm is greater than that to which pressure is applied on the underside, holds the Valve tightly closed.

Figures 2 to 6 illustrate the application of 4 my improved valve control to a multiple-way valve. The valve here comprises a body 3| hav- See Figure 2. Passage 32 is an inlet passage, and the valve is designed to direct iiuid from passage 32 into either of passages 33 or 34. The valve is also designed to connect passage 36 with either of the' passages 33. or 34. Thus when passages 32 and 33 are connected, passage 36 is connected to passage 34; and when passages 32 and 34` are connected, passage 36 is connected to passage 33.

A'head 31 is mounted on studs 38 -and a diaphragm 39- is clamped between the head and body. Communication between the passages is effected by ports 4l along the sides of the passages and opening out on the upper surface of the body under the diaphragm, In order topermit the diaphragm to lift from these ports, the under surface of the head is provided with four recesses 42, 43, 44 and 46. These recesses, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, are

disposed above the ports between adjacent passages. By this arrangement fluid from a given passage may bedirected to a selected one of the adjacent passages, depending upon the position of the portions of the diaphragm above the ports. y

The diaphragm is controlled by pressure uid from inlet passage 32 passing up through a duct 41 into a valve chamber 46 in the head; a sleeve 49 being' provided to extend the duct through thediaphragm.Y A plug l isprovided in the base of the valve chamber, and has a central aperture 52. A series of four apertures 53 are also provided in the plug, communicating with ducts 54 leading to the four recesses inthe head. The several apertures in the plug all. open out on gits upper surface, and communication be- While the pressure uid on` both sides of the diaphragm'is derived from a com.

the body by suitame v 2,130,320 tween central aperture 52 and apertures 53 is controlled by a rotatable pilot valve 56-having a groove 51 in its lower surface to connect the central aperture 52 with a. pair of oppositely disposed apertures 53.

Figure 4 shows the groove connecting the centralaperture with the apertures and ducts leading to recesses 43 and 44. In this position the pressure uid flows into the recesses and presses dow'n the portions of the diaphragm to close the ports between passages 32 and 34, and between passages 33 and 36. Pilot valve 56 also has a pair` of apertures 56 on opposite sides of the groove for bleeding fluid from the other recesses 42 and 46 int'o the top of the valve chamber, from where it is discharged into pas'- sage 36 by a duct 59. Thus in the position of the pilot valve shown, the portions ofthe dia-- phragm below recesses 42 and 46 are free to move up to open the ports between passages 32 and 33, and betweenpassage's 34 and 36. If pilot valve 56 is rotated 90 from the position shown, passages 32 and 34 are connected together, and passages 33 and 36 are connected together.

Means are provided for rotating the pilot valve. For this purpose a stem 6I extends down through a boss 62 formed on the head, and has a pin 63 at its lower end seated in a transverse slot provided in the valve. A cap 64 is threaded in the top of boss 62, and a spring 66 is interposed be- `tween a flange 61 on the stem and the valve to hold the latter firmly seated on base plug 5I.

This multiple-way valve structure illustrates the possibility of directing fluid from one valve passage into a selected one or more of a plurality of passages, all controlled by fa simple easily operated pilot valve.

l'. claim: Y

1. A multi-way valve comprising a body having a substantially fiat upper surface andpassages extending radially inwardly from sides of said body, `ports connected with said passages and opening out on said surface of the body, a head overlying said surfaceand having recesses to provide chambers connecting ports of one passage with ports of an adjacent passage, a diaphragm interposed between said head and body and adapted to seat ,over said ports, and means for admitting pressure fluid into a selected .recess above the diaphragm to close the underlying ports. v

2. A multi-way valve comprising a body having a substantially fiat upper surface and having vpairs of diametrically opposed passages extending radially inwardly from sides of said body, ports connected with said passages and opening out on said surface ofthe body, a head overlying said surface and havinga pair of recesses to provide chambersconnecting ports of one of a first pair ofvpassages with ports of a second pair of passages, said head also having another pair of recesses to' provide chambers connecting ports of the other of said flrst pair of .passages with ports of lthe second pair of passages, a diaphragm interposed between said head and body and adapted to seat over said ports, and means -for admitting pressure fluid into a selected recess abovev the diaphragm lying ports.- q

to close the under- ERNEST A. HANSEN. 

